Waste management

More information on this link.

Road closure - Potterhanworth Rd

Work underway

I refer to my blog dated 18 Feb 2018 regarding the closure of the B1202 between Nocton Park Rd and Nocton Fen Lane.

Potterhanworth Rd & Nocton Park Rd junction

Road surfaces

Most road surfaces are made of asphalt – a mix of stones bound together with bitumen and still colloquially called ‘tarmac’ (although tar is no longer used as a binder). 

Asphalt is a flexible material able to flex and stretch a little when it is fairly new but the bitumen binder becomes brittle as it gets older. When this happens – typically between ten and twenty years into its life – cracks can open in the surface of the material.

Water can get into these cracks and freeze, widening the crack. In poor weather this ‘freeze-thaw’ effect can lead to a quick deterioration in the asphalt surface and the rapid formation of potholes. This is why potholes are so much more common in cold, wet weather.

If the deterioration goes too far, the surface may lose integrity and water can get through into the lower layers of the road, damaging them too. For this reason, keeping the surface sealed is key to getting the most life out of a road.

This type of surface failure is the most common cause of problems on most local authority roads in the country. The good news is that, caught early enough, the surface can often be resealed cheaply and effectively using a surface treatment to extend its life by ten or more years for a fairly modest cost.

Surface Treatments

Surface treatments include surface dressing and thin surfacing such as micro asphalts. These all involve laying a thin layer over the top of the existing road to seal the surface and restore grip, extending the life of the road. They will also rectify surface defects like cracks and potholes, either as part of the treatment process or through pre-patching works done to the more significant defects in advance of the surface treatment.

Resurfacing usually involves removing and replacing the existing road surface (although it is sometimes possible to lay the new surface on top of the old). Resurfacing differs from a surface treatment by using a thicker layer of material; usually at least 30mm thick and sometimes 100mm or more if several layers of the road are replaced.  Resurfacing restores the road surface to a new condition, removing surface problems and most unevenness.

Rebuilding

Rebuilding works like recycling or reconstruction involve digging down to repair or replace some or all of the foundation layers of the road and then putting a new surface back on top. Limited areas of reconstruction are sometimes used to solve localised problems as part of a resurfacing scheme.

Resurfacing Potterhanworth Rd

Extensive resurfacing

Rebuilding edge of carriageway

Potterhanworth Rd & Nocton Fen Lane junction

Source: Extracts taken from 'An Introduction to Highway Maintenance' [https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk]

Marianne Overton MBE - newsletter

March 2018

Whilst Marianne is no longer our local councillor for the Potterhanworth & Coleby Ward (that is now Councillor Ron Oxby), I still receive her monthly newsletters.

These are some extracts that are not necessarily centric to her own Ward (Bassingham & Welbourn) and may be of interest to you:

Money for Lincolnshire
National government has continued to keep hold of your income tax and not send it for local services. At the same time, extra demands from more people with more complex needs and a rising minimum wage has increased costs. The Councils have reduced services and raised local tax by the maximum amount allowed. The County with big costs like roads, adult and children’s care is also taking £35.8m out of reserves over two years and sold off assets.  The District Council provides around 10% of the local services and raised tax by £4.95/year per Band D dwelling.

In my national role, as Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association, I have been pushing for all of our business rates to be kept locally. This year for the first time, Lincolnshire is one of ten pilot Councils that is allowed to do just that. This is expected to mean we have over £18m more, with £7.5m going to the County Council and £1.2 to the North Kesteven District.

We also have a further £1.7m from the government for rural roads, added to £2.5m from reserves, £4m from an underspend (!) making around £8m more for highways.

State of our Roads
Even before the snow, you will have noticed our roads are in a poor state. The amount of money spent on keeping our roads in order has been reducing steadily. This is a false economy as the roads then deteriorate ever faster as the water gets in.

I rang highways every day last week before the freeze, raised the issue at full Council and met the Director. Richard Wills is now the Acting Chief Executive of LCC, following Tony McArdle’s departure. He accepted the criticism. They are behind schedule, even more so now the weather has worsened. As the water gets into the broken surface, it freezes and simply pops out the tarmac in a pothole.

The Director also accepted that we need to do more proper repairs. Their calculations had been that it was cost-effective to do thousands of emergency repairs for safety, but I argued they are popping out more quickly than expected. He acknowledges that this is also a reputational issue and is now changing the operations to do better repairs with the extra funding.

It remains important to report deep potholes, as the contract for repair in 28 days is still in place. It is best to report online; Lincolnshire County Council website, top right, “report a highways fault”. Or phone 01522 782070.

Snow
It is pretty rare to have all roads in Lincolnshire closed! My daily work on getting the backlog of potholes filled has paled under the load of a drifting blizzard!  What a humdinger St David's Day, the first day of our Acting Chief Executive Richard Wills.  The poor weather put a heavy strain on our public services, and they coped well.

Working children
Did you know that children under 14 and less than year 12 need a work permit issued by the council if working part-time?  For more information contact Miriam Shucksmith on 01522 554990 or CEE@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Planning
The government has set the rules against us and in favour of the developers. Some party members do not find it easy to challenge as they know the underlying objective is to get more houses built. The costs on us and stretching of services to breaking point cannot be allowed to continue.  If we cannot afford to build the houses and provide what is needed for those residents, in a sustainable way, then why do it?

Consulting on Key Planning Applications
You can comment on live applications - http://planningonline.n-kesteven.gov.uk/online-applications/

Garden Waste
Composting at home means you get to keep the nutrients in your garden. Or the District Council will do a fortnightly collection for £30/year. To rejoin call 01529 414155 during working hours or www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/gardenwaste - they also have a good value service to remove large items

Main Street - damage

Wall down again

I refer to my blog dated 7 Feb 2018 about the diversion of HGV's through Nocton.

It seems another vehicle has been unable to successfully navigate the left-hand bend at the Wellhead Lane junction without demolishing the wall over the Beck.

Nocton Beck - parapet damaged yet again

Good job there wasn't a pedestrian standing there

waiting to cross the road!

This appears to be happening quite regularly nowadays, so perhaps there needs to be a change of thinking when it comes round to reconstruction.

Council Tax - 2018/19

Expect an increase

I have tried to identify the expected increases due for the forthcoming financial year from various sources. Some of these figures have yet to be formally agreed, as shown in the source documents.

Band D                                            This Year      Next Year         Increase
                                                          2017/18         2018/19
                                                               £                    £
Lincolnshire County Council            1,173.42        1,231.47                4.95%
Police and Crime Commissioner         205.47           217.44                5.83%
North Kesteven District Council          154.80           159.75                3.20%
Town/Parish Precepts                           66.35             68.91                3.86%

Total Average Council Tax              1,600.04         1,677.57  *           4.85%

* Still to be confirmed

Lincolnshire County Council

"Lincolnshire county councillors will make a final decision on plans to increase council tax by 4.95% at a meeting of the full council.

The council will meet in Lincoln on Friday, February 23 to set the budget for 2018-19.
The planned 4.95% rise includes a general 2.95% council tax increase, which is just under the 3% maximum before the council would have to hold a referendum.

Lincolnshire County Council is also able to add a further 2% to the council tax bills to cover its responsibilities in delivering adult social care.

Band D properties will be asked to pay around £58 more a year, increasing from £1,173.42 to £1,231.47."

Source: https://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2018/02/councillors-decide-4-95-lincolnshire-county-council-tax-hike/

North Kesteven District Council

Taking account of the above demands, the average Council Tax at Band D for 2018/19 could be set as follows: £159.75.

Source: see document 

Police and Crime Commissioner

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones will increase his share of council tax by 5.8% after councillors approved the plans.

Band D properties will now pay £217.44 annually instead of £205.47 under the proposals.

Source: https://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2018/02/lincolnshire-pcc-marc-jones-increase-police-council-tax-precept-5-8/

Nocton Parish Council

The effect of this budget on a Nocton Council Taxpayer (Band D equivalent) would be an increase of £2.56 in the annual sum paid to fund the Parish Council (the “precept”) from £66.35 in 2017/18 to £68.91 in 2018/19 – an increase of 3.86%.

Source: http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Files/Parish/838/Budget_201819_and_Precept_Report.pdf

Are you happy to pay more for your council tax?

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2018/02/voice-of-lincoln-are-you-happy-to-pay-more-for-your-council-tax/

Road closure - Potterhanworth Rd

Advance notice

B1202 Potterhanworth Rd, Nocton

Lincolnshire County Council

Works Ref: GS2004410311920171027000
Carriageway patching scheme

Source: https://www.roadworks.org/

Road closed from next week for Nocton pothole repairs

https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2018/02/road-closed-from-next-week-for-nocton-pothole-repairs/

HGVs to be diverted via Nocton

Eastern Bypass work

"Washingborough Road in Lincoln will be completely closed to traffic during February half term due to Eastern Bypass works.

HGVs will also be diverted via Nocton & Potterhanworth during the closure."

For more information click on the link below:

Source: http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2018/02/washingborough-road-close-half-term/

Lincoln Eastern Bypass - delay

Lincoln Eastern Bypass delayed after contractor goes into liquidation

The company contracted with building the £99 million Lincoln Eastern Bypass has entered liquidation.

Lincoln Eastern Bypass in limbo until new contractors found

Questions have been raised over who will complete the £99 million Lincoln Eastern Bypass after primary contractor Carillion entered liquidation.

Carillion collapse raises job fears

Carillion ran into trouble after losing money on big contracts and running up huge debts of around £1.5bn.

Sub-contractors down tools on Bypass work

Construction firms have said work will not continue until they have assurances they will be paid for their services.

An old business mantra

The saying that 'turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, but cash-flow is reality' has never been truer.

Lincoln Eastern Bypass

The A15 Lincoln Eastern Bypass is a 7.5km road designed to improve Lincoln’s infrastructure, encourage growth, minimise traffic congestion and enhance the inter-city environment.

The bypass is being built by UK firm Carillion Construction and will see new roundabouts built at Greetwell Road, Washingborough Road, Lincoln Road, Branston and the A15 Sleaford Road.

More details about the project and a 3D fly-through can be viewed here, following the route described.

Local election - results

Conservatives triumph

The Conservatives have regained and consolidated their control of Lincolnshire County Council with a spectacular victory in the local election on May 4.

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/conservatives-election-triumph-as-they-re-take-control-of-lincolnshire-county-council/story-30314106-detail/story.html

Election 2017 Results

Conservatives gain from no overall control

Party                   Seats 2013   Seats 2017   Change +/-
Conservative          35                 58                 +23
Labour                    10                 6                    −4
Independent            9                   5                    −4
Liberal Democrat    3                   1                    −2
UKIP                      13                 0                    −13

Boundary changes have occurred here. 2013 seats are an estimate of what the result would have been then if the new boundaries had been in place.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/ff7a0676-a84d-4040-980e-275a828170e6/lincolnshire-county-council

Turnout statistics for Lincolnshire Local Election

4 May 2017 = 31.98%
Total votes = 176,789
Registered to vote = 552,741
Spoiled votes = 511

Comparison with earlier years
2013 = 29.2%
2009 = 36%
2005 = 61.75%

Results for Potterhanworth and Coleby

Sally Ann Lane Bentall [Labour] 332
Peter Charles Lundgren [Lincolnshire Independents] 922
Clive Ronald Oxby [Conservative] 1,427
Jillian Whitfield [Liberal Democrats] 192

Rejected ballot sheets 6

Voted 2,880
Registered to vote 7,898
Turnout 36.46%

Notice of road closure

Parish Council

We have received this notification from LCC Highways.

Location: B1202 (from B1188 to a point 200 metres East, Nocton)

Period of closure: 29/05/2017 to 12/06/2017 (5 nights only 19.00hrs to 05.00hrs during this period)

Alternative route: B1188, B1178, B1202 & vice versa
(closures to be implemented as & when required in each location during this period, signage detailing accurate dates & times will be displayed on site in advance)

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the LCC Customer Service Centre on 01522 782070.

To search roadworks locally and nationally - https://roadworks.org/

Parish Council notice - photo taken 19 April 2017

County Council Elections

Lincolnshire

Elections are to be held of Councillors to all Electoral Divisions in Lincolnshire on Thursday 4 May 2017.

Please note our village falls within the Polling District of "Potterhanworth & Coleby".

More details can be obtained on the following link:
https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/your-council/electoral-registration-and-elections/forthcoming-election-and-referendum-dates/lincolnshire-county-council-elections-4-may-2017/

Sowerby Homes - Nocton Park

Unfinished roads

Back in April 2016, I reported on the overall poor surface of roads serving the Sowerby Homes development at Nocton Park.

Furthermore, there were reports of some inconvenience for residents living on Wegberg Rd during work to improve drainage, as part of the final phase of building work in Holly Close.

With the building work for Phase 3 now complete, all that remains is for the developer to tidy the site and complete the road surface to Nocton Park Rd, Wegberg Rd and Holly Close. However, before the top surface can be laid, I understand remedial work is required to raise the level of Nocton Park Rd, in order to comply with requirements of Lincolnshire Highways. There were concerns over the steep gradients for driveways to a number of properties.

This remedial work now appears to be underway - please see the photographs taken last Wednesday (Plates 1 - 3) showing the survey stakes in place. If you look closely, the white markings on the stakes seem to indicate the revised height - quite a difference to the original level of the road/footway.

Plate 1 - Nocton Park Rd

Plate 2 - Survey stakes and caps

Plate 3 - Survey markings

I revisited the site on Sunday (12th March), and Plates 4 - 8 now show the revised height and kerbing for the road, which will certainly improve access to those properties.

Plate 4 - Nocton Park Rd

Plate 5 - Increase in road level

Plate 6 - Kerb height

Plate 7 - Gradient of driveways will be

significantly reduced

Plate 8 - View from Woodland Drive

ROAD WORKS ON NOCTON PARK ROAD - UPDATE FROM MR. SOWERBY
[Please pass this message to neighbours and note comments about delivery wagons]

Things are moving along quite well on the road now and I have arranged for the tarmacers to be base coating the raised section on Nocton Park Road next Wednesday or Thursday. So we shall need to close Nocton Park Road from Monday and diverting the traffic along Habbaniya Rise and exiting on to Bridleway Close with traffic lights set up through the narrow paved section, if you can inform all the residents please and for no delivery lorries over this period until Friday 24th.

We shall then continue to complete the footpaths and replace all the damaged kerbs throughout Phase 1 & 2 and then the tarmacers will return to carry out the top coat in very early April.

Message from Fiona Goldsby ['What's on in Nocton, Lincolnshire' Facebook page]

Nocton and Potterhanworth Neighbourhood Plan [NPNP]

Publicity Stage - concluded

The following information has been published on the North Kesteven District Council website showing the publicity stage as being concluded on 23rd January 2017. There were a number of respondents:

1. Gladman Developments Ltd
2. Lincolnshire County Council Highways
3. Leda Properties Ltd
4. Natural England
5. Nocton resident x 1

https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/living-in-your-area/localism/neighbourhood-plans/nocton-and-potterhanworth-neighbourhood-plan/publicity-stage/

Examination Stage (subject to amendments)

The North Kesteven District Council's response appears quite favourable:

"Overall, it is considered that the NPNP is well presented and it is a well written planning document that is fit for purpose. It is considered that, subject to some minor amendments as proposed in the below assessment, the plan meets the Basic Conditions, both when considered against the North Kesteven Local Plan (2007) and the policies in the emerging Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, as required by regulation and therefore should proceed to referendum."

https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/_resources/assets/attachment/full/0/30149.pdf

Nocton Parish Council are now considering the implications of these 'minor amendments' and will provide an update in due course. The NPNP cannot progress to referendum until an agreement has been reached with North Kesteven District Council on the final wording.

Footnote
I find it quite interesting to note that Gladman Developments submitted a document for consideration during the Publicity phase, given that when I contacted the company back in December 2014, they didn't appear to be interested in the Nocton Hall site at all.

I wonder whether Gladman Developments and Leda Properties are now working in partnership to develop plans for the Nocton Hall and RAF Hospital sites?

Local Government - Unitary Authority

Lincolnshire 'mega-council' voters need more time

The current two-tier system comprises one county council and seven district councils:

• Lincolnshire County Council
• Boston Borough Council
• City of Lincoln Council,
• East Lindsey District Council
• North Kesteven District Council
• South Holland District Council
• South Kesteven District Council
• West Lindsey District Council

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-38846165

Mixed views from Lincolnshire MPs over unitary authority referendum

'Any change in how Lincolnshire is governed, at a local level, must proceed only with the consent of all local authorities.'

http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2017/01/mixed-views-from-lincolnshire-mps-over-unitary-authority-referendum/

City of Lincoln council hits back at plans for a unitary authority

A plan to abolish all eight councils in Lincolnshire, and replace them with a unitary system, has been met with criticism.

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2017-01-24/city-of-lincoln-council-hits-back-at-plans-for-a-unitary-authority/

Unitary authorities: Time to make local government fit for the 21st century

'The time for change is now.'

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2015/01/unitary-authorites-lincolnshire/

Road closure - Wellhead Lane

Lincolnshire County Council Traffic Order

Temporary Road Closure: NOCTON
Please note it will be necessary to impose a temporary restriction to all vehicular traffic on the road(s) detailed below. Adequate arrangements will be made to enable pedestrians to access premises in the affected area while works progress.

Reason for closure: 
Essential maintenance works by Clancy Docwra/Anglian Water

Location:
Wellhead Lane (Between 150 metres & 300 metres West of Main Street)

Period of closure:
7/2/2017 to 9/2/2017

Alternative route:
Wellhead Lane, B1188, B1202 & Main Street

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the Greater Lincoln & Gainsborough Highways Division on 01522 782070.

Traffic Orders
Unit 7, Witham Park House,
Waterside South, Lincoln,
LN5 7JN
Telephone: 01522 782070
Email: highways@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Date: 16th January 2017

Street Lighting

Transformation Project Update

You will be aware that the county council is transforming the way it provides street lighting in Lincolnshire. The aim is to save over £1.7m per year and reduce LCC’s carbon footprint, light pollution and ongoing maintenance needs. It currently costs approximately £5m per year to operate and maintain the county council’s 68,000 street lights, with almost £3m of this being spent on electricity. The authority can no longer afford to maintain existing lighting levels and separately has to meet strict targets for carbon reduction, as set out by the Climate Change Act of 2008.

The project started making changes in April 2016 and has already reduced the county council's street lighting energy consumption by 25%. So far changes have been made in and around Lincoln, Gainsborough, Louth, Grantham, Sleaford, Stamford and Bourne. The street lighting crews are currently working in the Spalding and Holbeach areas and will be moving on to Boston, Skegness and Horncastle in the new year – with a view to completing the changes by the end of March 2017.

In order to achieve the required savings, we need to make changes to 58,000 of our 68,000 street lights by the end of March 2017, and this is what our resources are currently focused on. However, we are still dealing with faults and issues with individual lights. Although these are considered on a case-by-case basis, they are mainly dealt with when the programme visits the area to introduce LED or part-night lighting.

Faults that are reported after the programme has visited an area will again be considered on a case-by-case basis but are generally investigated when we next have an emergency maintenance crew in the area.

We are still responding to emergency faults in accordance with our normal processes. Emergency faults include columns that have been knocked over or in a dangerous condition and likely to cause harm including; electrical wires exposed, column door missing, light cover hanging loose.

We are aware that some residents may have an increased fear of crime as a result of the changes. You may be interested to learn that Warwickshire County Council has specifically analysed crime data since the introduction of part night lighting in their area. They have reported that domestic burglary has reduced by 24% and anti-social behaviour has reduced by 29%. You can read about these results at http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/blog/2014/07/03/15703/

Source: Richard Hardesty [Senior Project Leader (Major Schemes)] – Lincolnshire County Council, Highways Alliance

Lincolnshire County Council

https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/road-management-and-maintenance/management-services/street-lighting/

Planning applications - The Green

Removal of public payphone

PCO, Main Street, Nocton, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 2BH

16/1447/PNTEL

Applic Rec'd: 13/10/2016
Validated: 24/10/2016
Expiry: 14/11/2016
Deadline: 09/01/2017

Retrospective application for the retention of 2no. mobile classrooms for a further 5 years

Nocton County Primary School, The Green, Nocton, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 2BJ

16/1511/CCC

Case officer: Osian Perks
Applicant: Lincolnshire County Council

Applic Rec'd: 16/11/2016
Validated: 16/11/2016
Expiry: 30/11/2016
Deadline: 07/12/2016

Outline Application for the erection of 1 No. Dwelling (with access for consideration)

Wrays Barn, 3 Wrays Yard, Nocton, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN4 2BJ

16/1464/OUT

Case officer: Steve Watson
Applicant: Paul Goy
Applic Rec'd: 14/11/2016
Validated: 22/11/2016
Expiry: 03/01/2017
Deadline: 17/01/2017

Temporary road closure

Wellhead Lane, Nocton

Please note it will be necessary to impose a temporary restriction to all vehicular traffic on the road(s) detailed below. Adequate arrangements will be made to enable pedestrians to access premises in the affected area while works progress.

Reason for closure
Essential maintenance works by Western Power Distribution

Location
Wellhead Lane (Between 100 metres & 200 metres West of Main Street)

Period of closure
17/10/2016 to 19/10/2016

Alternative route
Wellhead Lane, B1188, B1202 & Main Street

If you have any queries, or require further information, please contact the Greater Lincoln & Gainsborough Highways Division on 01522 782070.
 
Ref: WS/TROS/3/North/729/2016 [Traffic Orders]
Date: 7th September 2016
Unit 7, Witham Park House, Waterside South, Lincoln, LN5 7JN
Email: highways@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Navigating roadworks in Lincoln

'Roadworks pain is worth the gain', say transport bosses

The county council's £22m East-West Link Road connecting the High Street and Canwick Road via Tentercroft Street opened this week, and construction of the authority's £96m Lincoln Eastern Bypass from Wragby Road to the A15 is due to start later this year.

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/roadworks-pain-is-worth-the-gain-say-transport-bosses/story-29629331-detail/story.html

A host of roadworks are set to hit Lincoln - here's how to avoid a hold-up

Diversion routes have been revealed as roads are to close during the 18-month construction of Lincoln's new £30m bus station and 1,000-space multi-storey car park. Traffic will be diverted either north or southbound on Broadgate onto the East West Link Road, Ropewalk, over University Bridge, onto Newland and into Wigford Way.

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/diversions-road-closures-and-demolition-as-lincoln-8217-s-new-bus-station-work-begins/story-29636903-detail/story.html

'Lincoln's roadworks pain will ultimately be worth the gain'

Next up is the £96 million Lincoln Eastern Bypass. This project has been years in the making, but we are now in a position where things can get under way, and should have boots on the ground later in the year.

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/lincoln-s-roadworks-pain-will-ultimately-be-worth-the-gain/story-29632472-detail/story.html